The New York City Council adopted a measure today that would require retailers to recycle plastic bags, as well as offer reusable bags. Edith Honan of Reuters writes the new ordinance is part of a wave of national awareness of the problems of plastic bags and litter and marine debris pollution:

"Environmentalists have targeted plastic bags as a scourge that take years to biodegrade and contaminate soil and water. In March, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags from large supermarkets and the state of California enacted a law in July that requires large stores to take back plastic bags and encourage their reuse."